How many judges are typically on an appellate court?

Appellate courts typically have a panel of judges who review cases. The most common configuration includes a panel of three judges. This is designed to ensure a more balanced and fair review of the case, as having multiple judges can help prevent bias and provide a range of perspectives on the legal issues at hand. The three-judge panel allows for thorough deliberation and reasoned decision-making, as these judges can discuss the nuances of the case before arriving at a judgment.

While some appellate courts may have different configurations, such as five or even seven judges in certain larger courts, three remains the standard for most cases in order to maintain efficiency and manageability in the decision-making process. In some cases, larger panels may be used for particularly significant or complex cases, but this is less common. Thus, the choice that identifies three judges best represents the typical structure of appellate courts.